SACRAMENTO, CA– Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) today stood with Southern California distillers and community leaders to support legislation to allow the direct sales of 3 bottles of distilled spirits per person at a distillery. Assembly Bill 1233 will effectively repeal the prohibition of direct sales, which dates back to the Prohibition-era in the 1930’s.
“California law currently just doesn’t make sense – the distilleries are allowed to have tastings on their premises but are barred from selling their product,” said Assemblyman Jones. “This is about supporting a thriving industry that started right here in the Golden State. By passing this law, we’re helping the small artisanal distillers by allowing them to directly sell to their consumers.”
Current law prohibits California distilleries from selling any product other than fruit based brandies at their onsite tasting rooms. AB 1233 will allow sales of distilled spirits from all types of fermentable ingredients, such as grains, potatoes, sugarcane, molasses and rice, enabling California distilleries to sell not only brandy but also whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, liqueurs and other specialty spirits to visitors of their tasting rooms.
“States that have overturned prohibition-era laws have seen a booming craft distilling industry. Direct-to-consumer sales have been particularly beneficial for small distilleries,” said Assemblyman Levine (D-San Rafael), author of AB 1233. “California distillers are currently unable to truly market themselves, build brand recognition, and remain competitive due to the regulatory hurdles dating back to Prohibition.”
After the repeal of Prohibition in 1922, state and federal tied house laws and California’s current “three-tier” system were created. This created a tightly regulated and restricted system of production, distribution, and retail sales.
“AB 1233 is a solid piece of legislation that will contribute to economic growth and job creation by allowing our region’s distilleries to enjoy similar opportunities as our booming craft beer and wine industries,” said Jerry Sanders, President and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Under original Prohibition tied-house laws, wineries and breweries were not allowed to directly sell to consumers; however, overtime, the California Legislature created various exemptions for beer and wine. These exemptions have allowed direct sales and helped small wineries and craft brewers make some of the finest beer and wine in the world.
“The bill would bridge the gap between the product and the consumer,” said Jeff Trevaskis, President and CEO of Twisted Manzanita Ales & Spirits in Santee. “Allowing us to market our products directly will have the impact we need to grow our brand organically. This will not discount the efforts of our distributors; however it will complement the efforts, allowing us to expand as a small batch distillery should.”
AB 1233 (Levine, Eggman & Jones) is co-authored by the following lawmakers: Assemblymembers Achadjian, Allen, Bigelow, Bloom, Chavez, Cooper, Dahle, Dodd, Gallagher, Gordon, Harper, Jones, Maienschein, McCarty, Nazarian, Olsen, Patterson, Stone and Wood and Senators Hill and Wolk.
Comments 1
Assemblyman – you are right on target. These individuals, acting as distillers, are endowed with the same unalienable rights as any other individual. It is neither moral or just to have one code for one group and a different one for others.
I imagine most who are familiar with the impact of well meaning Prohibition law are aware that the unintended consequences of such were worse than the harms before the legislation was enacted. Behind you 101%.